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Vesuvio is a Death World, a planet covered in equal amounts of Dense Tropical Rainforests and Inhospitable Deserts marked with Volcanic activity. The habitable areas are covered in lush wildlife, the apex predator known as the Vesuvian Asp in it’s coiled state is far larger and taller than your typical Leman Russ, a single drop of it’s venom is more than capable of killing one thousand adults.( Vesuvian Assassins have been known to coat their edged weaponry with the venom of the Asp. )

The planet’s entire ecosystem is perpetually hostile to all forms of foreign life, native flora and fauna dual for supremacy, from the lowly Vesuvian “Brain Bug” to the serpentine Asp. The planet itself is rich in resources, key resources revolving around Ceremite and Rare Mineral Magnets used in Magnetic Accelerators for Plasma technology.

Vesuvio was colonized by humans and abhumans long before Imperial records can remember, a majority of it’s population are madeup of Homo Sapiens, a quarter of the population are Homo Sapien Minimus, otherwise known as “Ratlers”. Besides the apparent height differences, there are no other physical aberrations between the two. The first colonies that came to Vesuvio were forced to live within the cramped confines of their landing crafts due to the hostile environment, over the generations they were able to expand, cutting large expanses into their surroundings so as to build communities. Unfortunately due to hostile flora and fauna, most communities are often forced to uproot and resettle elsewhere as fauna are drawn to communities.

Over eighty percent of all children die before they reach the age of ten, those who survive are often quick to learn advanced survival instincts, quick with natural aim are able to survive to adulthood. Children often learn to shoot long before they’re able to walk, much like Cadian and Catachan children.

Vesuvio Flora

The Vesuvian Mantrap, a carnivorous plant common on Rainforest Death Worlds. It resembles the Terran Venus Flytrap in which it derives its name and apparent shape, but often rises to twenty five feet in height and is readily capable of catching and digesting adult-sized creatures, rendering flesh and bone to nothing in a matter of days.

The Mantrap is exceedingly aggressive in it’s ability to search and capture prey, the leaves of the Mantrap connect to an inert body by long stalks which are capable of moving at double the Mantraps distance, for instance a fully grown Vesuvian Mantrap of twenty five feet has a striking distance of fifty feet.

Each leaf and stalk can coil around it’s prey to form a powerful trap capable of breaking a adult’s armored torso, sensitive trigger hairs detect nearby prey, causing the plants trapping mechanism to active as it uses it’s rudimentary instincts to move outward to catch it’s prey.

The Leaper, a five foot cylindrical plant that resembles the Terran Cactus, but covered in far more spines, the plant itself is considered one of the far more deadly flora specimens of Vesuvio due to how it spreads. The spines themselves are fired as a defensive mechanism; the spines release a mutagenic chemical into the bloodstream that reforms the body into another Leaper.

The victim remains mobile for some time, the mutagen quickly destroys all cognitive thought yet keeps rudimentary movement a viable means to move, abet randomly. The victim themselves will slowly start to sprout spines from every pore and due to a ravaged mind will be unable to react. Eventually all mobility is lost and the host becomes another Leaper to repeat the entire process once more.

The Silent Kiss, a plant that appears to be a small thorn bush. It’s purple flowers only blooming once every year before dying, dropping it’s seeds in place to reform and grow once more, using the decomposition of it’s parent plant to fuel it’s growth. The plant is often found in tight clusters on mountain sides and steep hills. The spores which are released are capable of inducing a mindless rage that all but destroys it’s victims personality and dulling their abilities to register pain and mortal wounds.

Vesuvio Fauna

Grox, although originally native to the Soloman system, the animals are prized for their highly nutritious and tasty meat, and have been introduced to many worlds throughout the galaxy, so that the Grox is now the most ubiquitous livestock animal in the Imperium. The Grox however are extremely ornery and virtually impossible to keep under control without some form of brain-implants or lobotomy. On Vesuvio they have become wild, and are deadly predators. Grox are used by a galaxy-spanning food consortium to produce the famous 'Grox Burgers'.

The Vesuvio Rough Riders are known to use brain-implanted Grox as their given mounts since they naturally move through the native Rainforests with graceful ease and are known to feast upon their intended targets, the riders themselves using this innate drive to feed as a psychological deterrent for their enemies.

Vesuvian Asp, the apex predator of Vesuvio, a serpentine creature that’s often on par or larger than a Leman Russ battle tank and far faster which means escape is often rare, it’s jaws capable of snapping Astartes Power Armor with ease, a drop of it’s venom can kill one thousand adult humans in less than twenty heart beats.

Tithe

Vesuvio falls within Exactis Prima, which means it gives it’s first born child to the Vesuvio Regiments, more often than not, their siblings will follow in the eldest footsteps if they aren’t established in the Mining or Crafting elements that allow Vesuvio to trade with neighboring systems. All Vesuvian’s serve a five year period in the Planetary Defense Force, which means if called upon, all able bodied men, women and children will be able to fight.

Vesuvian’s are proud to serve in any aspect, be they on an off world Vesuvian Regiment to the Planetary Defense force, from the highest of Nobles to the lowest of hive gangers, all can be accounted for to serve. Planetary pride unifies all Vesuvian’s and they see it as an honor, a mark of reaching adulthood, becoming a citizen and more importantly a member of the Imperium of Man.

The 68th Vesuvio Armored Division “Vesuvio Rats” is a regiment of the Free Standing Vesuvio, currently stationed upon Vesuvio Prime at Fort Pius.

The Regiment has a history in the Free Standing Vesuvio that dates back to it’s founding in the 527.M39, when it was formed into the Free Standing Vesuvio as the 68th Armored Division. The only remaining Armored Division on Vesuvio which are equipped with Vesuvio Pattern Chimeras, Hydras and Manticores. These relatively light vehicles were modified to be quick response armored vehicles for the rapid assault tactics that the “Vesuvio Rats” are known for.

The majority of the 68th are known mavericks, often gathering the newly minted recruits of Vesuvian gangers from Vesuvio Hive. Even for all their insubordination, the Free Standing Vesuvio as a whole views them as a pure representation of the “working class” citizens of Vesuvio, for all the ill they are, they in turn are willing to give their lives in the defense of home and Imperium.

The Veterans are going to be a mixture of Colonel Schaeffers Last Chancers, Hasslefree Miniatures, Pig Iron Conversions, House Escher and whatever else that strikes me, just for the hell of it, I'm also going to paint up an old Macharius and 2nd/3rd edition Commissar Yarrick.

I want to build a rag tag company of veterans who get the job done. In so far, I only have the name of the Hive inwhich they were originally inducted from, Vesuvio. Vesuvio Rats works since they don't exactly have a uniform and each vehicle will be personalized for the crew that "owns" it. Plus, they scavenge a majority of their weaponry and parts for repairs.

Though onto the important parts.

Because every regiment needs a "mascot", so I went with a wolf thing.

Posting more in a moment.

The scary thing is, I actually applied paint to some of these models. . .

Obscura

Posted 21 January 2013 - 09:11 AM

Been fiddling around with my Chimeras, going to go for a streamlined APC look, failing that, at least it'll look different from the majority of Chimeras out there, I hope, think, maybe?

I'll magnetize the turret options ( when I get there ) and the front hull weapon will stick in place.

All six of them are basically at this part, I tend to streamline my builds as its easier to just stay in the groove.

Then, there's this progress shot . . . of painted minis?!

Been mucking about with paints, testing out basing ideas for other models, but generally this is how I'm going to style the Escher Gangers in the "Vesuvio Rats". The others will have similar colors and it'll tie everything together.

Still have to clean up some of the colors, gradient transitions and a few other tweaks, but I'm generally happy with how these came out. Now gotta pop them off those bases and put them on the resin ones I've got laying around.

I also have to get clearer pictures.

Though moving on back to the Chimera, proof of concept.

Built a preliminary Chimera, going to magnetize the turret mount and the hull mounted weapons stick without any additional assistance, which is nice.

Going to fill in gaps with putty, also going to order at least six of the Leman Russ accessory sprues for the track guards and a few other pieces, the rest will be used to spruce up other vehicles in my collection.

The current Chimera platform is a bit blocky for my tastes when it comes to APC's, I love how the Leman Russ works though.

Another update, finished building the majority of my Manticore, the turret is adjustable, but I think I'll have to add more magnets.

The nice thing about it is, if I don't play it as a Manticore, I can swap out the turret for your typical Chimera and use it as that. I essentially just built a stand in turret for the Manticore.

( The Powersword is there to hold up the hull as it dries. . . )

Finished building the hulls for the "Vesuvio Pattern" Chimeras and Manticore, still have a few modifications to do.

For the turrets I'm going to build Heavy Bolters, Multi Lasers and Autocannons ( The locals don't mind the swap, just as long as I pay the IA points for it).

Obscura

Posted 21 January 2013 - 09:16 AM

( Still haven't removed the paint, but I've done some modifications on them, so I can't complain, much. )

( WIP Executioner - weapon mounts are detachable, so I can do all three variants that came in the box. I really have to work on those mold lines. )

Marbo WIP

Armored up Chimera chassis

Armored up my six Vesuvio Pattern Chimera/Manticore chassis's, have another three to build. Naturally have some gaps to fill in on all six, but it'll add some uniqueness to each build and that's before I start to customize each one with extra gear, kill markings and the like.

Also, started work on these . . .

Deathstrike Missiles are almost done, have to do the fins then I'll move onto the three APC's I've got lingering around. After that, I'll be able to visit each tank and add smaller details and other accessories that they'll need.

The wife has also said that I'm restricted from buying any more miniatures until I finish what I own.

Obscura

Posted 21 January 2013 - 08:25 PM

Obscura

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Furyou Miko: The female Marbo stand in was a limited edition McVey piece, I think he released the sum total of 450 a year or so ago. Since I wasn't technically married then and had some money floating around I snagged two. Every once in awhile you'll see them up on Ebay for some stupid price.

As for the fire points, there's the hatch up front ( in front of the turret . . . ), outside of that I decided not to really model them into the Chimera, most of the guys and gals I play against don't mind, they think the conversions are neat. Plus, I modeled them like that out of necessity, since I generally have to cart my 40K stuff on my motorcycle, it seemed prudent to reduce the amount of flimsy bits as much as possible.

Brother Lorien: I can't, she's right. I have to finish painting up my stuff before I can go forth and conquer new miniatures. . .

Honda: Thank you, I can't stand the idea of pristine Armor. At most the crew, engineers and mechanics would do is maintain operational efficiency with what they have on hand, any "moving parts" would be lubricated mercilessly and/or jury rigged until they can find suitable replacements. Paint and aesthetics would be a low priority in an active zone. Well, they'd maintain squad markings to an extent, the last thing you want is to have your armored company visually mistaken for a ramshackle Ork armor fleet.

Seahawk: Appreciate it! I love Deathstrikes, I've only used them in a few standard games, this one guy I game against on a regular basis has made it his sworn duty to wreck them as soon as possible . . . mostly because I nuked his turtled Iron Warriors into oblivion, but hey, they're traitors, they had it coming.

As for the track guards, while I know they should be in front, I decided to model them in a fashion that'll look cool. I may switch it up later on, still scratching my head on that.

Honda

Posted 22 January 2013 - 12:54 AM

Honda

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I have to say that I do like the track guard effect that you have, but acknowledge Seahawk's point on vulnerabilities. Unfortunately, it's something that GW and FW don't seem to realize as the same weakness is evident in Landraiders and the three Macharius variants.

However, no worries as I'm in the "Rule of Cool" club as well.

Cheers,

"All those rumors about us being intolerant and stubborn really just evolved from our history. We're actually just a fun bunch of guys who enjoy burning witches" - Anon

Obscura

Posted 17 May 2013 - 07:34 PM

Arise ye moderately discarded and maybe forgotten thread. . . ( life has a way of distracting you from priorities. )

So I've decided to join the ETLII Competition, vowing a 1500 list comprising of units from the IA:IG Second Edition and IG Codex.

I'll be posting pictures later tonight once I get home to take a photo of my current Armored Company.

Thus far I plan to paint one of my Vesuvio Pattern Chimeras with the following, a throwback to the metal death box I rode in.

There will be a Frank the Tank Chimera.

In the pipe I've got. . .

One Vanquisher

Two Chimeras with 10 Veterans

Four Leman Russes with Heavy Bolter sponsons

Two Manticore's

Given the way I paint vehicles, I think I'll be able to add more to my vow, but I want to get the 1500 base completed before I get ahead of myself.

Honda - I think the next three Chimeras will have guards in the front as I'll be creating them to be Heavy Flamer equipped APC's meant for urban pacification.

ferrers - I've seen those miniatures, they're definitely nice but I just can't afford to purchase anything else at the moment. I have to sell some of my stuff ( have a few armies I don't even play any more, they have to go. ) before I can pick those up.

Obscura

Posted 18 May 2013 - 04:34 AM

Obscura

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Three Chimeras built to this state. . . and I've just noticed how much dust is covering my tanks. Time to hit my Company with my air compressor. I also have to fill in a few gaps and add more detail such as storage, additional packs, towing cables, bangalore torpedoes and other items.

Three Manticores built to this state and like the aforementioned Chimeras they're covered in dust.

I plan to clean up the Armored Company tomorrow and I'll start work on the Leman Russes, if things go well by the time the weekend is over I'll have the tanks converted, primed and ready for their first few layers.

Dosjetka

Posted 18 May 2013 - 05:16 PM

Dosjetka

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I love your Chimera conversions. If you don't mind, I may steal that design from you and use it for some allied Guard Chimeras that I'd like to do at some point All in all, I'm looking forward to seeing more progress on this characterful army! Good luck with the ETL!

You carry the Emperor's will as your torch, with it destroy the shadows.

Obscura

Posted 22 May 2013 - 07:27 PM

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Early Christmas indeed! I'm thinking of magnetizing the upper hull so as to switch between all the options that come in the plastic Shadowsword box.

Appreciate it Captain Semper, I've been pretty inspired lately ( mostly due to the ETL ) and pretty much spent my day ( at work ) working on this. Think I'm going to make this be the background art for my Armored Company Roster sheets.

Outside of that, Frank the ( Tank ) Chimera and Honey Badger will be getting a coat of paint tonight.

Obscura

Posted 27 May 2013 - 12:14 AM

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SPC Reynolds looks up from his Vesuvio Pattern Lasgun, the low rumble of the Chimera filling the compartment with equal amounts of noise, diesel fumes, feet and ass as the air recycler once again fails to work properly. He looks over to SPC Santos with a grin, "Hey Santos, what's the difference between a PFC and a 2nd Lieutenant?"

"One's been promoted, the others an ."

- - -

So, Honey Badger and Frank the ( Tank ) Chimera have gotten their first and second wash.

I'm waiting for them to dry before I go forward with the rest of the paint job, I plan to have my Armored Company painted in different color schemes ranging from the following Urban Pacification, Desert and Woodland.

Frank the ( Tank ) Chimera and Honey Badger will be done in Desert, though with a definitely dirty and used look to show their rugged use. Once the first layer is dry, I plan to use the hairspray/rock salt combo combined with a matte flat desert tan color.

From there I'll pick out details, add markings and the like. I plan to add more to each chassis as they partake in games, battle damage and other random things to distinguish them. Giving each piece of Armor some history.

Office temp

Posted 04 June 2013 - 07:08 PM

A death world with a population of over 4 billion? Geez, the people must breed like.....rats.

This one time, in band camp......I nuked the site from orbit, just to be sure.

I begin tucking him into bed and he tells me, "Daddy check for monsters under my bed." I look underneath for his amusement and see him, another him, under the bed, staring back at me quivering and whispering, "Daddy there's somebody on my bed."

Obscura

Posted 11 March 2014 - 08:40 PM

Obscura

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Awaken dead thread. . .

So, a friend of mine knows a guy in São Paulo who sculpts. She snagged me this. I know, it's more unpainted miniatures in my thread, but I'm slowly unpacking from my move. I have no idea what role this model will be, but I'll be damned if it isn't a nice one.

Hopefully in a week or so I'll have something to show for it in regards to my Vesuvio Rats!